September 07, 2010

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The WWRL 1600 AM debate between Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Democratic primary rival Reshma Saujani was ugly enough (Maloney said her rival sounded like a Republican; Saujani use the word "lie" repeatedly), but each candidate did themselves more than a little bit of damage after the debate.

Maloney refused to stop for questions from reporters covering the debate in a crowded conference room, not even breaking a stride as we all — including seven-months pregnant yours truly — chased her into an elevator, which her aides initially tried to stop a WNBC camera from entering. (Her aides inexplicably had no car waiting for her afterward, so she stood on the street trying to hail a taxi for several minutes).

The video, any way you slice it, will not look good. Katzblog has some footage, as well as WNBC's Melissa Russo.

But Saujani didn't exactly make the most of the post-debate magic, telling reporters that Maloney had been a failed leader and going so far as to say she herself may not vote in the general election if she loses the primary.

"I might not vote," she said, adding at one point, "I'm being honest with you."

Her aides are aggressively pointing out that she also said that didn't mean she thinks the district would be served better by a Republican.

Still.

There's no way for that to come off as anything other than sour grapes, and it doesn't help in terms of the narrative that's been around throughout the campaign that she's running against Maloney from the right.